Lismore’s Santin Quarry ceased operation in 2021 after an attempt to extend the life of the quarry for 16 years failed. An appeal to the Land and Environment Court (L&EC) by Santin Quarry’s owner Mick Santin was subsequently withdrawn. Yet the quarry is back on the table and objectors are concerned that the current crop of conservative Lismore councillors will approve the extension regardless of the fact that the staff have recommended refusal.
Due to the ‘lengthy history’ of the Santin Quarry modification to the development application (DA) Lismore Council staff ‘engaged an independent town planner, GAT & Associates, to undertake the assessment’.
There were 35 submissions received in relation to the modification with ‘25 against and 10 in support’.
‘The public submissions raised several concerns, including impacts on the visual and acoustic amenity of the area and nearby properties, impacts on the road networks, koalas, and the legality of the potential for consent to extend the quarry’s life,’ stated the staff report.
‘The modification application has been assessed and is recommended for refusal.’
Lismore Councillor Adam Guise (Greens) told The Echo that, ‘This quarry has a long, conflicted and complex history’.
‘Extending the life of this 30 year old quarry via a DA modification application for a consent that has expired and is not substantially the same would be a terrible planning outcome.
‘The extension of this consent via a modification application has been repeatedly rejected by both staff and councillors and should again be refused,’ he explained.
New DA not modification
A new DA, rather than the modification sought, would ensure that the application had to meet current requirements in relation to water management, truck movements, and environmental assessment.
‘The proponent should take the proper planning avenue by submitting a new DA for this quarry to operate, so that the significant impacts it will have on the environment and community can be properly assessed,’ said Cr Guise.
‘Councillors should be making proper planning decisions which support due process and protect the community and public interest by rejecting this modification application.’
Flood recovery
Councillor Guise said he has also put forward a Notice of Motion (NoM) calling for ‘a public briefing identifying existing and potential planning mechanisms which support flood impacted residents to rebuild or relocate post-flood’.
Cr Guise has highlighted the struggle facing residents post the 2022 flood who either need help rebuilding or house raising or affordable relocation.
‘People who aren’t getting or taking buybacks need support to safely live in their homes or raise them to a higher level,’ he explained.
‘People who want to relocate their homes need development pathways to ensure it is affordable and easy.
‘For too long our planning law changes have been about kicking people out of their flood impacted homes, rather than supporting people to make safer choices about their living arrangements.
Our council should be leading the way in exploring planning mechanisms, grants, funding and advocacy to support our community to stay in our region and live safely in their homes.’
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